The riots are significant crime issues. A group that has risen from its position to oppose authority. Many Criminologists from UWS commented on the riots. In particular, one referred to the problem of employment prospects. The situation here is that they do not have jobs. No jobs, means more time to offend, and a means of committing crime to live.
Another criminologists commented on the geography and movement. And this is why I dislike public housing.
The Problem of Renting or Temporary Housing
We are a community, we like to help each other out. We care for who is next door, we go to their house, they come over to ours. We socialise, our kids play with theirs, and we have known each other for so long.
Now how many people, could honestly say that is how they feel about their neighbour?
More importantly, who could say it? Research would indicate it would be those in the country who care about their neighbours more. The city we tend not to (the coutnry has its fare share of crime, but we need to look at the Riot situation). A major problem (apart from current political policy especially by the state government instilling fear), is that we are surrounded by highly mobile people. Rented properties mean people don't care about their community as much.
Would you take the time to learn about your community, participate if you were only staying there for a couple of weeks? Being of a deprived of education, facilities and wealth means that you are less likely to do so. This is a problem here. The Community does not look out for each other, it doesn't have the feel to get rid of crime collectively. Instead, people keep moving, and people come and go. We tend to be more isolated and in Mac Fields, where there are large groups of housing with such mobility, community networks are often poor and those that exist tend to be countercultural so they do not internalise what most people would see as wrong.
The Geography
Mac Fields was designed under the Radburn Model. That is people look into each others yards, from the front of their houses. It means less privacy as well. Another issue with Radburn is that houses are built around a 'common area'. This common area or park is taken over by gangs, forcing younger kids to play in driveways that are shared. This causes another frustration. Radburn also has allies, unlit and concealed leading to sexual assaults and muggings in the area.
